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*Change of plan! I’ll personally smash the skulls of those who retreat. Even if it means death, reclaim our target at all costs!*

In the face of an unfavorable battlefield, a demon turned his head back and sternly warned his subordinates not to flee.

A sudden shift to a battle stance akin to that of a fierce warrior.

“Ha! Mere humans, this is too precious for you to hold, isn’t it?”

As if that wasn’t enough, Lexton, grasping the front of his robe that had been enveloping him, revealed himself with a sly grin as he tore it apart with his strength.

His appearance was quite violent.

A face full of scars from countless battles.

Horns rising above his head, emanating magical power.

For the sake of stealth or ease of movement, a lizard’s tail as thick as a log trailed down from his leather armor.

“Give it to me, now!”

Lexton roared.

His eyes gleamed with greed, fitting for a malevolent dragon.

I tossed what I was holding into the air and caught it, tilting my head in confusion.

“Ha-ha. I won’t give it up easily, you know? The rental fee is quite high.”

“Hmph, only worth your life, perhaps.”

With a single leap.

He kicked off the ground, creating a gust of wind.

In an instant, he was upon me.

Specifically, towards the treasure of the gargoyle, closing the distance.

‘That’s disgustingly huge.’

Even without his horns, Lexton stood a full head taller than me, easily.

The pressure emanating from his large frame.

I licked my lips feeling as if his very presence was bearing down on me.

-Bang!

As expected.

His attack, transmitted beyond the reach of Raven claw, felt incredibly heavy, as much as his size suggested.

“You’re ridiculously strong!”

“Ha-ha! You, on the other hand, have become too weak for someone who used to stretch so far!”

Truly boss-level.

It was impractical to face him head-on.

Moreover, his attacks were not only aimed at me.

“Ugh!”

“What kind of wind pressure is this…!”

“Everyone, be wary of the enemy leader’s attacks! Just swinging a hammer can break our formation!”

The formation of the noble family’s soldiers surrounding Lexton’s subordinates wavered.

The wind pressure from his sheer brute strength.

And the vibration created as the hammer pounded the ground.

Just his attacks alone were causing a delay in the annihilation of the demons.

“I’ll smash that head of yours and take that treasure right away!”

As if he already had the treasure in his hand.

Lexton’s face was filled with a fierce smile as he swung his warhammer, his voice full of confidence.

Objectively, the battlefield seemed to be at a disadvantage for us.  

Despite this, a different emotion dominated my heart rather than worry.

‘Ah, I’m looking forward to this.’

When that ecstasy plummets to despair in an instant.

I wonder what kind of expression he will make.

Just imagining it makes me salivate with a thrilling excitement.

“Hehe. Even now, if you hand it over, maybe I’ll show you mercy?”

“If you laugh that wickedly, even your trusted ones might run away.”

The heavy hammer’s gravity trying to press down on me.

However,

‘The target is too obvious.’

I saw it all.

The previous words, the direction of the killing intent, and even the trajectory of the weapon.

All the information was headed my way.

“What?!”

And such an overt attack, it would be harder not to dodge.

The moment the war hammer pointed to the sky.

I dashed towards him, skimming the ground.

[Lexton is a skill boss]

[This guy’s attacks are just incredibly straightforward. Each attack could nearly be instant death, but there’s a long delay beforehand, so just stepping out of the range in that time is enough.]

[Plus, the timing between his attacks is slow, so it’s easy to find a window to deal damage.]

[With this in mind, why wouldn’t you go after boss Lexton, the generous?]

A guide post that had virtually taken over the community, receiving many upvotes and sympathies.

True to those words, dodging wasn’t that difficult.

I quickly slashed his wrist holding the war hammer with a dagger.

However, if there was one fact I overlooked,

It was that in this <Under the Chandelier>, the basic stats were brutal.

-Clang!

…Did I hit metal?’

A strike aimed at a perfect gap.

Yet, it failed to pierce through the leather armor.

Instead, the wrist that attempted the attack felt sore.

“Huh. Did a mosquito bite me?”

A so-called difference in weight class.

In front of overwhelming physical strength and durability, my attack couldn’t even make a dent.

The opponent, noticing this, laughed, revealing his ferocious molars and sharp canines.

“Wow, you’re definitely tough. Is that why? So slow it makes me yawn.”

Of course,

That didn’t mean I was going to lose.

With mockery met with mockery,

As I stepped back to return the gesture, anger flashed across his face.

“Getting lucky once and babbling nonsense! I’ll blow that mouth away first!”

Lexton was easily provoked, just as hot-tempered as his light banter suggested.

“Too bad. I too wanted to see it through to the end, but it seems impractical. After all, strong opponents are best dealt with through cooperation, don’t you think so, miss?”

The reinforcements that had just arrived raised an eyebrow.

“Still haven’t dealt with it? Surprising. I thought this would be over quickly.”

“Ahaha… I’ll humbly accept the criticism. It was a bit too much for me to handle.”

“I wasn’t intending to reproach you.”

Luciana stepped forward in front of me, blocking Lexton’s path.

Even with the significant difference in size between me and her, Lexton, who was almost twice my height, must feel even more imposing.

Standing tall amidst the intimidation of his size, she straightened her back.

“What’s this?! Do humans have a tradition of sending children to battle?”

-Twitch.

Luciana’s elegant eyebrows quivered slightly.

At the same time, a frown slowly formed on her forehead.

‘Ah, right.’

Just as much as that blabbering Lexton,

Luciana was also known for her temperament, always ready for a duel or sparring.

“That vulgar mouth pollutes the air of the Speda family’s mansion, and your dirt-covered feet have made a mess of the floor. Your sins are heavy.”

-Swish.

Her anger was soon visible in the pure white blade she wielded.

At the tip of the blade, emitting a smooth and sharp aura, red blood droplets fell.

“Your subordinates’ blood. They’re nearly annihilated. The valiant soldiers of the ducal family are taking care of them one by one. I have also contributed.”

-Whoosh!

As if shaking off the blood, a pure white aura exploded from where the hilt met the blade.

“You too will become a decoration on this floor in the same state as them.”

Facing the aura filled with killing intent head-on, Lexton let out a bright, beaming smile.

“Uhaha! So that’s why you have that title, a formidable opponent!”

I found myself grinning without realizing.

‘Good.’

Finding pleasure in meeting a strong opponent, defeating them, and taking their weapons.

The Levain, a race innately drawn to combat, seemed to find Luciana’s challenge more of a joy.

But no matter how much he was covered in muscles, the sight of a muscular uncle in leather armor smiling brightly in front of a silver-haired girl was, well…

‘It looks perverse no matter how you look at it.’

“Getting cocky because you’ve relied on tricks! It’s so satisfying to see, human child!”

Before I knew it, he had raised his war hammer high.

-Bang!

The pure white sword and the black hammer crossed, sparks flying.

“…Kugh!”

Luciana, who had received the blow with good momentum, was pushed back slightly in the struggle of strength.

At a disadvantage.

The slight, but evident, lack of strength on her part was proof of that.

“In front of a true warrior’s fight, numbers are merely decoration! My subordinates are on the verge of annihilation? What does that matter? If I defeat you here, those ragtags will be crushed in no time.”

Just as Luciana’s sword aura exploded in response a moment ago, mana flared from his horns as well.

“Being pushed back once doesn’t mean the fight is over. I will surely cut you down.”

“Try if you can!”

As they stared each other down, weapons poised to clash, “Such a pity. Seems you’ve forgotten about me?”

Lexton, startled, swung his hammer around him.

A familiar pattern.

[Namely, the Windmill Pattern. Lexton uses it to fend off threatening foes, but it’s simple to avoid by stepping out of range and then closing in again. Unlike Lexton’s usual moves, the wind-up is short, making it somewhat harder to dodge.]

Knowing the pattern well, and Luciana, not the primary target, also noticed and swiftly moved out of range.

“Oh, Lady Luciana. That was a splendid move!”

It would indeed be strange for a servant of the noble house to know all about the enemy, especially demons.

I was a bit worried since I couldn’t share the information in time, but she avoided it beautifully.

“Hmm. The muscles on his right shoulder were more turbulent than usual. It would be strange not to notice.”

Oh, that’s a strategy I hadn’t known.

I’ll have to remember that.

‘It could come in handy again and again.’

A great tip.

Not like I’m going to fight Lexton, the generous mob that drops enhancement materials, only once.

Lexton, having stopped in his tracks, glared at me with a huff, unable to hide his confusion.

“Eh, when did you get behind…?”

“While our lady is indeed beautiful, staring blankly won’t help.”

Of course, Luciana does boast a beauty that captures everyone’s attention!

And with her dazzling talent, she captivates hearts once more!

But still, forgetting the person you were originally facing is problematic.

Lexton, glancing back and forth between us, gripped his ax tighter, mulling over his next move.

“Hmph. Come to think of it, I’ve been too scared of a mere fly.”

Despite the humiliation of being caught off guard once, there was no sense of crisis in his eyes.

A dismissive look.

The Levain-like attitude of treating the weak as insects was fully displayed in him.

“Wow. I suppose I don’t even register as a threat to you.”

“Don’t interfere with the duel. After I deal with her, I’ll crush your skull too, so wait your turn…”

-Thunk

However, he couldn’t finish his sentence.

Due to the armor, made of who knows what leather, falling to the ground with a significant noise.

“What, what’s this…?”

“You should have taken better care of your belongings.”

[‘Tut’ has successfully unlocked ‘Lexton’s Leather Armor’.]

[‘Hans Byron’s infamy rises within the ‘Evil Dawn Empire’.]

Durability? Armor?

All of that doesn’t matter if you strip it away.

The small, shimmering secret weapon was slipped back into my pocket.

‘As expected, against humanoid foes, it’s almost cheating.’

No matter how tough a Levain he might be, he wasn’t born with skin as hard as a gargoyle’s.

Though the exposed, ruggedly muscled abs looked strong, they certainly weren’t enough to fend off a sword.

“Well done, Hans.”

Naturally, even a graze from Luciana’s superior swordsmanship could prove fatal.

“It was only what needed to be done.”

The subtle praise from my favorite character lifted my spirits.

Then,

“Tch, given the situation, fighting against a descendant of the great warriors seems futile.”

He closed the distance between us in an instant, perhaps disliking the smug look on my face, or maybe he remembered his original objective.

His outstretched hand was menacing.

“Don’t think I’ll let you off that easily!”

“Everyone, stop her! It’s an order from the True Dragon! Use whatever means necessary to retrieve the Golden Jade Seal!”

As his voice echoed throughout the room, Levain mercenaries began to gather around Luciana.

-Ching-

The left side… Ugh!

It’s open, everyone, stab!

Naturally,

Forcing their way through the soldiers’ encirclement at his command, those standing before Luciana were in a dire state.

Not sparing flesh and bone but sacrificing both to obey the command.

However, there was a result.

The soldiers were momentarily thrown into confusion by the sudden charge of the mercenaries.

Thus, Luciana, whose path was completely blocked, found herself without any hope of assistance.

“Such folly, not even considering one’s own injuries.”

“Hans, just hold on! I’m coming!”

The voice that reached me was filled with a hint of concern, but more so with thick trust.

‘How could I not be energized?’

With Luciana’s encouragement as my foundation, I faced the enemy before me.

“Last warning. Hand over the Golden Jade Seal!”

“Kukuk. That’s a funny joke. Why would I hand it over?”

Would a thief hand over the treasure they worked so hard to obtain?

That’s as likely as a dog grazing on grass.

“And you’ll never be able to touch me. Never.”

Despite his roaring face full of fierce momentum, Lexton’s feet and tail moved stealthily.

Yes,

‘Lexton the Bastard’ was not only a treasure trove dropping essential enhancement items but also one of the relatively strong mid-bosses.

A tricky boss that could lead to character deletion rather than treasure looting ‘was.’

Had some newbie not posted “Lexton Easy Kill Strategy in 10 Steps” at 3:43 AM,

his infamy would have continued to feed on the tears of newbies for a long time.

To be frank,

I was the author of that strategy post.

[Always keep an eye on the boss’s feet.]

The foot he put forward now was his left.

The hammer swung vigorously towards me, but reacting promptly, I dodged by dropping down.

[The pattern changes depending on which foot is put forward.]

Left foot.

Swing once more, this time, a slight jump.

Right foot.

Maneuver diagonally to avoid,

[For the instant death pattern with a short wind-up, known as the windmill, just know the counter! Before casting, there’s a precursor where the tail hits the ground twice. Just create distance then.]

Lastly, as soon as the tail hit the ground twice, I immediately leaped backward, escaping his attack range.

“Why… Why! Why doesn’t it hit!”

“Maybe because you’ve become too slow?”

Even if he fuels mana into his horns and infuses his hammer with aura, what’s the use?

It’s a simple enhancement.

If it doesn’t hit, all that effort is futile.

“It’s indeed the easiest boss, right?”

Lexton, fuming with rage, was a sight to behold.

Unfortunately for him, even that was a precursor I knew of in his pattern.

[Not instant death, but getting hit means rapid loss of health. Keep the sound on max. When he snorts, immediately…]

With a ringing in my ears, his tail rushed at me at an incredible speed. 

Avoiding a mass as large as a log coming at me with such velocity was impossible. 

“Argh!”

However,

Knowing when and how he would attack—

Where I should have been sent flying by his tail, various hidden weapons poured from my anchor took its place instead.

His broad and massive body was an easy target.

Naturally, everything I poured from the spatial bag hit its mark without fail.

“Now, the strategy is complete!”

While Lexton was disoriented by the shards embedded in various parts of his tail,

My dagger grazed his head as it passed by.

-Swish.

A demon’s symbol and pride.

A storage of power.

The proud, pointed horn that once stood tall on his head was now in my hand.

The pleasing heaviness and luxurious feel in my hand were immensely satisfying.

“You should take better care of your belongings. Well, look at this, following the Golden Jade Seal, another treasure rolls right to me.”

[‘You have obtained the Horn of a Levain Noble!’]

A material for strengthening needed to defeat the Demon King.

I managed to obtain it much more easily than expected.

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Lexton had been rolling on the battlefield since he was young. 

Inheriting the blood of dragons, Levain was strong of limb and bone. 

Though his race was naturally inclined to seek out fights, he stood out even among them. 

By the age of ten, he had shattered his master’s leg, and by twenty, within his mercenary band, there was no one who could oppose him, securing the position of leader. 

Entering his thirties, he had even gone so far as to plunder the lands of other Levain nobility. 

‘Nobility isn’t much after all. Whether noble or not, power is everything.’ 

Within Evildon, he believed he had no equal. 

However, even Lexton encountered a wall he could not overcome. 

“Bow down.” 

Just as cold and barren as the climate of Evildon, was this merciless command. 

And following that command, his subordinates dropped to their knees with a thud, none but he remained standing. 

“To stand so boldly before the king, how irritating.” 

The king of their race. 

The one who called himself the ‘True Dragon’ and the Demon King, looked him up and down with an utterly emotionless gaze. 

“This bastard!” 

Fear. 

A feeling he had not experienced in his decades of life began to crawl up from beneath his feet. 

Struggling to shake off that feeling, he swung his warhammer with all his might. 

He who had crushed the skulls of nobles. 

If this creature claims to be a king, what of it? 

Just smash him with overwhelming force…! 

“Oh. To think a lowly mercenary touched nobility. There indeed is noble blood here.” 

Yet, as if it was nothing, he drew his greatsword in a straight line. 

Without moving an inch from where he stood, yet, as if to mock, his cherished warhammer was split in two, from head to handle. 

“Arghhh!” 

He threw the now useless weapon to the ground. 

Even without his weapon, the greatest weapon of a Levain remained: Bulging muscles, sharp fangs, a tail capable of effortlessly lifting logs. 

He had sunk his teeth into the necks of those who were careless a few times before. 

‘I can still do this! At this close range, what can he do with a greatsword!’ 

The one thing Lexton overlooked was. 

“Your fighting spirit alone is commendable.” 

His opponent was also a Levain. 

Moreover, the king of their race. 

-Snap! 

It was unseen. 

The punch from the one who had discarded his greatsword, reached his face before he could even notice.

“Ugh!” 

For the first time, he experienced a complete defeat. 

Before he could even process the humiliation, the subdued voice reached his ears. 

“Submit or die. Choose.” 

At that moment, Lexton’s choice was already made. 

***

That was already several years ago. 

The fruit of submission was initially very bitter and spicy. 

However, gradually, it turned into sweetness. 

[Dungeon: Speda Duke’s Main Castle] 

[The stronghold of the descendants of the great warrior who drove the demons to the north.] 

[It boasts defenses second only to the natural fortress of Barant Fort.] 

[Warning] 

[The difficulty is too high for the level of your party.] 

[Boss, Duke Speda is absent. Temporary difficulty reduction applied.] 

One of the abilities he gained by becoming the king’s subordinate was this. 

Dungeon, party, boss. 

Lexton brushed aside the translucent panel with difficult words that appeared before his eyes to the corner of his vision. 

‘Still full of incomprehensible words.’ 

But even with his dull mind, he could understand how significant this ability was. 

The Levain, who always risked their lives in battle and considered the battlefield their home, could glimpse fragments of their enemy’s information. 

In such places, obtaining information without any cost was more precious than gold. 

“…Tch. I don’t like it.” 

However, the information he obtained this time was not to his liking. 

A ‘reduction’ in difficulty. 

As if saying, had the descendant of the great warrior been present, he would have been defeated. 

‘Even though I was horribly defeated by the True Dragon, there’s no way I would lose to anyone else.’ 

Grinding his teeth. 

Since that day. 

His newly grown teeth and fangs gnashed against each other. 

“I’ll go in first. Follow me.” 

Bang! 

With his new favorite warhammer in hand, he kicked open the door of the mansion. 

“Is this okay? From the walls and even though it’s a dark night, I’m worried that there’s no guard force at all.” 

The guy who often acts as a strategist and chatters away. 

“Shut up!” 

Deeming it not worth listening to any further, he gifted the guy a punch to the head. 

“Quiet! It’s good if there’s no force. Why so much talk? Are you scared?” 

“No, not at all!” 

Immediately, the lips curled in, and the subordinate bowed his head deeply towards him.

“Even if there’s a strategy, smashing through with force is all it takes! Am I wrong?” 

“Yo-you’re absolutely right.” 

Lexton believed in his reputation, recognized even in the mercenary world, and his strength that had even been acknowledged by the True Dragon. 

“If you’ve understood, move according to the plan! Kill that gargoyle brat, plunder the treasures! The same goes for any humans you see! Sweep them all away!” 

The rule of mercenaries. 

The spoils belong to the one who claims them. 

Seeing his subordinates’ eyes fill with greed, Lexton also smirked. 

Trampling over the expensive-looking, brightly colored carpet with their muddy boots, the mercenaries advanced. 

“Indeed, it does seem empty of people.” 

Do humans usually leave such large mansions empty like this? 

Such was the silence and desolation inside, it prompted questions. 

“Where are that gargoyle brat and the treasures?” 

What does it matter? 

As long as the objective is achieved. 

“It’s right in this room ahead!” 

The magical tracking device, which had been emitting a soft purple glow, now showed an intense reaction. 

Beyond here lay the item desired by the True Dragon. 

“Like a worm crawling in the soil, you’ve hidden well until now. But now, there’s no escape, gargoyle!” 

With a resounding voice, he pressed down on the door with his hammer. 

A creaking sound filled the corridor as the interior was revealed. 

And what was exposed inside was~. 

“Still no progress in brewing tea, I see.” 

“I’m always doing my best.” 

“Strive for the best, not just your best. The tea leaves are wasted.” 

The desired treasure was nowhere to be found. 

Despite the door being broken and intruders entering, they seemed unconcerned. 

Just a man and a woman arguing. 

The man turned his head towards them and squinted. 

“Hmm, I wasn’t expecting guests. If you don’t mind me asking, where do you come from?” 

“…Deal with both of them. And find where that gargoyle is hiding.” 

They’re seeing them and still calling them guests? 

After a brief moment of surprise, Lexton immediately issued his command. 

‘We need to find the treasure, what’s with these useless humans dawdling around.’ 

He had no time to waste on them. 

Leaving the disposal of the witnesses to his subordinates, he was about to hurry towards his goal when.

“Dealing? Speaking such nonsense in the Speda mansion. Not knowing your place.” 

The silver-haired woman slowly rose from the table, a rapier in her hand. 

As he was considering the menace of her presence, 

“Ugh?!” 

“If you have the skill, then try.” 

[Boss] 

[Luciana Speda] 

Above the head of the girl with a fierce look in her eyes, beyond the fallen subordinate, red letters floated. 

At the same time, the aura of what seemed to be just a small human girl explosively filled the room with a fierce momentum. 

“Everyone, be on guard! Do not underestimate her just because she’s a human woman!” 

Lexton hurriedly shouted to his subordinates. 

A boss, a special enemy sometimes encountered in gargoyle extermination missions. 

He never expected such a title to be attached to this diminutive human girl. 

But, 

“After all, it’s just one opponent. Surround her!” 

These were men who had synchronized in battle over many years. 

The subordinates, now in formation with their weapons drawn, slowly closed the distance towards her. 

“Who’s surrounding whom?” 

Giggle. 

That annoying laughter scratched at Lexton’s ears. 

He had momentarily forgotten about another pest while focusing on this boss. 

‘How dare this lowly human! …Hooh. Tearing this one apart in front of the woman wouldn’t be too bad.’ 

This is what the True Dragon called a tactical advantage. 

Destroying the enemy’s composure while boosting… well, under the True Dragon’s grace, his own growth was something Lexton was smugly smiling about when, 

“Aaaagh!” 

A scream echoed from another direction at that moment. 

“What?!” 

“Honestly, I was quite on guard because you’re supposed to be the main force. But this doesn’t seem much different from the mercenaries earlier. Ah, perhaps you are a bit different?” 

[Boss] 

[Hans Byron] 

Another figure emerged with a spear, just like the girl, a boy with a title indicating a formidable enemy, written in red letters above his head. 

Between his slightly squinted eyes, his black pupils flashed for a moment. 

Lexton involuntarily swallowed. 

A strange sensation he had experienced long ago flowed through his body in an instant. 

It was like, when he first met his lord… 

The gaze of a ruler dealing with those beneath him, reminiscent of the Demon King. 

“Waaaah!” 

“Show these demons who dared to invade the north what for!” 

“The safety of the lady is the top priority!” 

And simultaneously, human voices filled the room from all directions.

***

Enjoying a cozy tea time while waiting for an ambush. 

The thrill of a date with your favorite person, especially in these moments alone together at night, is incredibly exciting. 

But there’s work to be done. 

“How about we pull all the troops guarding the walls today and place them inside the mansion?” 

“Huh. You always come up with ideas beyond my common sense.” 

Luciana looked at me with an incredulous look. 

“Your tip turned out to be true. But we could prevent their approach from the walls in advance, and we might need to patrol the estate to prevent any potential harm to the lord’s subjects.” 

Luciana pointed out how my suggestion for troop deployment was utterly inefficient. 

Indeed, she was right. 

Without knowing the enemy’s objective, it’s necessary to spread out the troops to prepare for any situation. 

However, I was certain. 

That they would definitely come to this mansion. 

Because, after all, their target is Oparn and his treasure. 

“They will surely come. Bathory said it seems they are after her treasure.” 

Casually dropping Bathory’s name surprisingly worked well. 

As evidence, a crease formed on Luciana’s brow. 

“Tch, such an unhelpful maid you are.” 

“Let’s use that to our advantage. If we mobilize all the troops, aiming for a complete rout could actually be better.” 

Her red lips sipped the tea, releasing a rich aroma. 

Luciana, staring at me intently, asked in a stern voice, 

“Your strategy only works under the assumption that the enemy’s entire force targets this mansion.” 

Now, with the Duke of Speda and his heir, Luciana’s older brother, away, it was a reasonable doubt from the temporary commander of Speda’s estate. 

The deployment of troops is a matter of great importance, affecting everything from the lives of the estate’s subjects to the estate’s very existence. 

If things go wrong, not only could I lose trust over today’s events, but I might also be expelled from my position as a personal attendant. 

Nonetheless, I nodded confidently. 

“I’m aware. If my prediction is off, while the mansion may be safe, the estate could fall into danger.” 

My response, coming without a moment’s hesitation, made Luciana smirk. 

“It seems you’re aware of how reckless your suggestion is.” 

“Wouldn’t you say it’s an ingenious plan? If it succeeds, we could eliminate any future threats as well.” 

And this was the result of accepting my proposal. 

“How did this happen?” 

The utterly defeated foes. 

Barely maintaining formation but with their morale thoroughly crushed. 

Horns peeking out from the torn robes, a clear mark of demons. 

The sharp spearheads of the soldiers who emerged en masse formed a forest. 

And beyond that, the sight of the Levain, unable to hide their astonishment from within their robes, inadvertently brought out laughter. 

Ah, indeed. 

There’s no doubt my personality has taken a nasty turn. 

The overwhelming success of this reversed trap felt surprisingly good. 

“How does it feel to have the tables turned on you so swiftly?” 

“…We’ve been thoroughly had.”

And there was an unexpected gain as well.

The Levain leader with blazing eyes.

Above his head, red letters were engraved.

[Boss]

[Illegitimate child Lexton]

A name all too familiar.

[Lexton Subjugation Guide – 34th Attempt Strategy]

[Stop bullying him! He’s being chewed out for being the weakest.]

[But… we need to farm enhancement materials, right?]

[How else do we enhance without subduing the generous legion commander? The higher-ranked commanders? Might as well keep grinding this one endlessly.]

The lowest-ranked among the Levain commanders.

Yet, the most active in operations.

‘To gamers, a precious source of enhancement materials.’

In the game, as here, his presence was no different.

I struggled to control my twitching lips at the sight of him.

Of course.

“Everyone, run away on your own!”

[Lexton made it to phase 2 then suddenly ran awayᅲ Where can I catch him?]

[Ah kk, the escape ninja Lexton, there are still newbies who don’t know?]

[Jj Jj, didn’t read the strategy guide? Paralysis potion is a must.]

[Give up and look for another enhancement route.]

A keen sense, perhaps.

Frustrating newbies by letting their guard down.

Even though obsessed with battle, he had an exceptional talent for slipping away from disadvantageous battlefields.

‘I can’t just let him go.’

“Where do you think you’re going? Wouldn’t you want to take this with you so you can at least explain to the Demon King why you retreated?”

A shining piece emerged from within my cloak.

After all, the True Dragon is not such a merciful king.

He wouldn’t just let go of an incompetent subordinate who retreated even when the object of their search was in front of them.

“The Golden Jade Seal…!”

“Your eyes change instantly.”

As I casually rolled the object, nearly snatched from Oparn, in my hand, Lexton charged towards me, dragging his destructive-tank-like body.

Simultaneously spreading wings that covered half the room, swinging was the massive warhammer, as large as his frame.

-Clang!

A pitch-black blade intercepted the rushing metal mass.

Watching other demons trying to aid Lexton being blocked by Luciana,

I smiled brightly at the golden goblin we locked eyes with.

“Then, let’s have a good, long play!”

A trial that must be overcome to capture the Demon King.

The battle with the enhancement material… no, the legion commander, began.

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“A relic to select the king of gargoyles, huh? Hoh. Living through the ages, I see all sorts of precious items.”

Interest sparked on Bathory’s face as he looked at the item Oparn had brought out.

But, well.

‘What’s this?’

Contrary to the initial intuition.

To the eyes of a thief, it was nothing more or less than a piece of jewelry that looked slightly expensive.

[Diamond Seal]

[A relic symbolizing the king of gargoyles]

The status window only went so far as to describe it, with no special abilities to speak of.

It was pretty much pretty garbage.

“Do you recognize this item?”

Hiding my disappointment, I asked Bathory, who seemed to know about it.

Who knows.

There might be abilities that I hadn’t checked in the original work.

“I’ve never actually seen it before, but how could I not know? In our clan, there’s a treasure that only reacts to Blad. That must be similar.”

The king of the clan.

This meant there was a king among vampires, gargoyles, and even Levains.

‘Is it an artifact whose symbolic value is more important than its performance?’

Then, it was of no use to me.

Symbolism?

Who cares.

To think I was expecting something, only to find it worthless.

“Now, you must have one yourself. Why ask me…”

“Shh.”

I pressed my index finger to her lips.

I nodded to Bathory.

My eyes, however, were on Oparn.

-It’s our secret.

With lips trained in conversations with Elizabeth, I silently conveyed my opinion to her.

It was enough that Bathory mistook me for the king of doppelgangers.

– I see. Well, it would be troublesome for you if it were revealed.

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind. It’s nothing you need to worry about. Let’s talk more about that seal.”

Prompted by Bathory, the topic returned to Oparn’s relic.

Oparn, holding the seal tightly, continued.

“Diamond entrusted it to me, saying under no circumstances should it fall into the Demon King’s hands.”

“Hmm, indeed. If it’s about the position of the king of the race, that makes sense.”

Curious.

It was strange how seriously Bathory, Oparn, and even the Demon King, who was trying to steal it, regarded this artifact.

‘Is there something I’m missing?’

“I’m curious. It’s just an item related to hollow honor. What could possibly be the reason the Demon King covets it.”

“Hollow honor? What blasphemy!”

“Oops, my mistake, I forgot to filter my thoughts, and ended up saying what I really felt.”

At the slight provocation,

I shrugged as I watched the gargoyle tremble with clenched fists.

“Such a bad taste.”

Catching on, Bathory commented with a single remark.

‘Ahem. I must restrain myself. He’s supposed to seduce a saint.’

“Retract your statement!”

“Yes, yes, I’ll retract. But isn’t it more important to consider why the Demon King covets that treasure?”

Enough with the trivial banter.

I’ve felt like I’ve been missing something for a while now.

‘It might be a misunderstanding, but it’s unsettling.’

Trampling over Bathory’s territory.

Laying waste to the gargoyle’s stronghold.

All had the clear purpose of ‘uniting the Evildon Empire centered around the Levain race.’

But what about this artifact now?

“By now, all the gargoyles within Evildon are already under Levain’s control. There’s no need to solidify their control further by obtaining this seal, right?”

Is it worth it to push his forces to the brink to obtain it?

To someone like me, who prioritizes efficiency and performance, the answer was naturally ‘doubtful.’

“Hmm. Are you abandoning your duty because of that? You really know nothing about being a king.”

“Well, I have no intention of learning in detail.”

She sighed deeply at my relaxed attitude.

“Well, I have no intention of forcing a sense of responsibility on you. But it’s certain that nothing good will come from the Demon King getting his hands on it.”

“Hm? Why?”

“Because with it, a puppet king will be established.”

Seriousness settled in her crimson, ruby-colored pupils.

“The command of a king is absolute among the races. The lower demons will all follow it. Even if it’s a puppet, the existence of a king elected through proper procedures carries its own significance.”

So that was it.

The gargoyles, unmatched in durability.

Something that couldn’t be dealt with without significant firepower, as I had learned all too well within the game.

To lead them in war?

The headache was already starting.

‘I remember, it was like that in the final battle too.’

A wall of gargoyles standing fortress-like in the front lines.

The Levains, disturbing the battlefield with their mobility when you least expect it.

And the vampire corps, annoyingly casting debuffs or bombarding from the rear.

Despite being of different races.

Their coordination was as troublesome as flowing water.

I thought it was due to the Demon King’s amazing control.

But if the secret was the commands of the kings of each race?

“I had no idea such a secret existed.”

“…Well, it’s not exactly relevant to you. I’m in the same boat.”

Her gaze now turned towards Oparn.

“Likely the same for him. Even if there’s a royal command, we high nobles can resist.”

Born noble, thus not easily swept away by the Demon King’s hand.

Bathory and Oparn were such cases.

‘I’m human, so naturally, I’m an exception.’

“I understand. Gargoyles are inherently strong warriors… To prevent Tyrone’s forces from growing stronger, we must protect him and the relic.”

“It won’t be easy. He wouldn’t send mere mercenaries for something he covets.”

Bathory really does worry about everything.

“What does it matter? Whoever comes.”

“What?”

“Unless it’s the Demon King himself. Kek.”

The thought alone was amusing.

I am Hans Byron.

A personal servant of the Speda family.

This means that an attack on me would be…

‘Equivalent to a direct confrontation with the North.’

The North’s ultimate force.

With the nightmare of demons, the Sword Master, ready to strike.

Certainly, even if a legion commander came, they would be sliced by that sword.

“Using the descendant of a great warrior to strike at the Demon King’s forces! How can I not laugh?”

“That’s exactly the kind of idea you would come up with.”

Bathory, holding her forehead as if it ached, and Oparn, confused and unable to follow the conversation.

I smiled and gestured for him to follow.

“Come, let’s go. We can get you treated there too.”

“…Where do you plan to go?”

I reached out my hand to Oparn, who anxiously lowered his gaze to the floor.

“To the place where Bathory and I are staying. The land of the great warrior.”

Thinking about getting things done without lifting a finger made me hum a little tune.

Oparn

Unbeknownst to himself, he had entered into the strongest fortress of the current era.

Anyway.

Seeing Oparn’s grimace from earlier and his now gloomy face.

I felt a flutter in my heart, like a feather.

“The great warrior you mentioned is…”

“Or would you rather stay here alone?”

Even now.

The male lead (candidate) is gritting his teeth and glaring at me…

Seeing his handsome features distort, something from my peripheral nerves seemed to rise.

“You’re being too mischievous, aren’t you?”

“Hehe.”

Under Bathory’s mediation, we started moving again.

Perhaps, as she said, my character has gotten a bit worse.

‘Ever since catching that doppelganger, this has been happening.’

Frustration, sadness, elation.

The closer I feel the intense emotions of others, the more an inexplicable pleasure seems to prick my heart.

‘Am I becoming a real doppelganger?’

Perhaps I’ve enjoyed playing the role too much.

It was a moment for some reflection.

***

“What?! The Duke is not here?!”

Despite my astonishment, Luciana calmly sipped her tea.

“Father has recently gone to the Barant fortress, where the offensive has intensified.”

“That’s unfortunate…!”

I had been short-sighted.

I should have realized when Tyrone’s minions were found in the territory.

The Speda stronghold has never fallen, being a natural fortress of tremendous strength.

Naturally, for demons of that caliber to infiltrate, there had to be a gap somewhere.

‘I didn’t expect the Duke to be taking on that role. What a letdown.’

The plan filled with easy victories was thwarted.

“You seem disappointed as well. So am I. It’s a coincidence that the hearts of the lord and servant align.”

How she saw my despair.

She rose from her seat with a gentle smile.

“I pleaded to be of help in the fight, but Father was worried. He said to be careful, as I’ll be going to the academy soon.”

With melancholy in her eyes and an elegant atmosphere, she set down her teacup.

Caught in that picturesque, elegant moment, my eyes were unwittingly stolen away, as if complex problems evaporated in an instant.

“Before going to the academy, it’s a pity you won’t get one last chance to loosen up. Don’t you think, Hans?”

“That, that’s true.”

I stuttered like a fool in response to her question, and her smile deepened upon seeing my reaction.

A radiant beauty that even diminished my own sense of self-reproach.

At this moment, I thought I could easily fill three books with essays on her.

“Well, taking a break like this isn’t so bad. I hear there are subjects related to swordsmanship at the academy, and duels among students are frequent.”

Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.

“Come to think of it, I never asked. Hans, which department are you planning to apply to?”

I snapped back to reality.

The academy was divided into departments based on the students’ talents.

The Martial Arts Department, primarily for learning swordsmanship, a means of self-defense and a noble’s refinement.

The Magic Department, for those chosen by mana to explore the miracles they can create.

And the Political Science Department, analyzing politics, an essential virtue for most noble offspring.

There was no need to ponder.

The essence of power and the core of supporting Luciana lay in Political Science.

“Obviously, Political…”

Her brows furrowed instantly.

‘It’s not the answer I wanted,’ her face seemed to say.

“…would be quite different from the atmosphere in the North. It must be the Martial Arts Department, right?”

Only after my response did Luciana nod in satisfaction.

“Right. To assist me, you naturally have to join the swordsmanship department. A wise choice.”

I found myself nodding along with her, my course decided somewhat forcibly, but what does it matter?

Plans can change.

‘To support my favorite character at school and be by her side at all times? Even better.’

From the time school starts to the time it ends.

To be by her side as a follower for such long hours.

I was already savoring Elizabeth’s jealous face.

-Ding.

My blissful daydreams were interrupted by a loud alarm sound.

[Emergency Mission Alert!]

[Within a few hours, invaders will start attacking the location of ‘Oparn’.]

[Remaining Time: 02:59:59]

‘That’s much sooner than I thought.’

Like with Bathory, it seemed they had some way of figuring out locations on their side.

While refilling her empty teacup, I casually asked.

“Lady Luciana, did the Duke lead the troops himself?”

“No, Father said the soldiers stationed at Barant were sufficient. He only took my brother along to gain experience.”

Meaning the soldiers here were still intact.

There was no reason not to use them.

“Actually, I heard something serious from Bathory.”

“The demon?”

Just the mention of a demon’s name seemed to sour Luciana’s mood, her displeasure not hidden.

“She should stick to her maid duties instead of blabbering unnecessary things to my subordinates about some trivial contract.”

A harsher rebuke than expected. Perhaps it’s about human compatibility.

The hostility towards Bathory, who is still a demon, seemed to persist.

“She said she felt an awkward flow of mana.”

“What do you mean?”

“She warned me to be cautious because there are unpleasant intruders nearby.”

Sorry, Bathory. I’m selling your name here.

Clang-.

As if to underscore Luciana’s sentiment, the sound of the teacup and saucer clashing echoed through the room. I gave a quick glance at the undulating shadows beneath my feet, hinting at their presence.

“Intruders. Has Barant’s fortress defense been breached?”

“From my analysis, yes.”

“Hmph. Hard to believe.”

Even as she said this, Luciana’s face bore a mix of seriousness and concern.

Knowing Bathory’s competence as a wizard from personal encounters, she couldn’t easily dismiss his contracted advice.

“With the Duke and the young Duke absent, you’re the only one here with the right to make decisions, Lady Luciana.”

She was the only one of the Speda lineage currently at the estate.

“May I suggest a plan?”

“Planning to do something reckless again, I presume.”

Her lips curled up in a smirk.

“Let’s hear it. Though I call it reckless, your advice has never been wrong.”

“Thank you for the high praise.”

Slowly and in detail, I shared my thoughts with Luciana.

***

“It’s quiet.”

“The humans must all be sleeping off. Lax discipline.”

Robed figures gathered around the moonlit black walls of the castle.

“It’s high. Not as much as that fortress, though.”

“What shall we do?”

“What do you mean? Overcome it as we did with the fortress.”

Leading the way, one figure scaled the wall as if walking on flat ground.

-Psshht.

The wall crumbled wherever his bare feet touched, his long claws and extreme muscles securely anchoring him.

Moreover, the wings he spread out balanced him, making the climb as easy as walking on flat ground.

Magic circles for demon sniping, tall and thick walls, all rendered useless.

“What are you doing? Follow me.”

After scolding his followers, he looked down from the top of the wall.

‘That’s the place.’

‘The descendants of the great warriors are staying there.’

The tracking device in his hand was glowing red, indicating the target was indeed there.

“Hehe. Good. It’s been a while since we destroyed everything.”

For Levains, combat was both a duty and a ritual that brought exhilaration.

A wide grin spread across the leader’s face.

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